Process of oxidizing or reducing chemical substances by way of electrolysis.



G. KOLSKY. PROCESS OF OXIDIZING 0R REDUCING CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES BY WAYOF BLEGTROLYSIS. APPLIOATION FILED NOV.3, 1911.

1,039,41 5, Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

trated in the accompanying UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE KOLSKY, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

PROCESS OF OXIDIZING OR REDUCING CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES BY WAY OFELECTROLYSIS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnome Konskr, of Switzerland, residing at New York,State of NeW York, have, invented an Improvemeht in t;l1je r'ocess ofOxidizing or Reducing Chemical Substances by Way of Electrolysis; andiIdo hereby declare that the following is a full and exact descriptionthereof.

This invention more especially relates to the electrolytic production ofhypochlorites, chlorates, perchlorates and persulfates. I have foundthat such electrochemical reactions may be greatly facilitated byplacing either the cathode into the interior of the anode or the anodeinto the interior of the cathodeand by rapidly rotating the innerelectrode. For instance I have treated a solution of potassium chloridwith the apparatus which I shall describe hereafter. I found that With acertain current intensity, the tension was reduced to 3 volts, by usingmy improved apparatus with the anode rotating, whereas under the sameconditions, but with the anode at rest, a tension of about 6 voltsWasmeeded. Furthermore the outut was considerably increased, and finallyin spite of lower voltage a far greater current intensity could be usedthan with the same apparatus, and with the anode at rest, so that acertain quantity of chlorate could be produced in far shorter time thanwith the anode at rest.

The mechanical apparatus which, in the light of my present knowledge, Ithink best adapted to carry out my invention, is illusdrawing, which Iwill now describe.

Figure 1 is a vertical central section of an electrolytic apparatus fortransforming al-.

kali chlorids into alkali chlorates, with the electrodes formedaccording to my invention. Fig. 2 is a modification comprising means forcooling the solution treated.

Reference being had to Fig. 1, a is the anode having the form of ahollow sphere with a number of lateral perforations a and one opening atthe bottom, similar to what is called the Witt stirrer. This hollowsphere is surrounded by a second hollow sphere b tormin the cathode. Theouter sphere is also perihrated, the perforations having the form ofoblong openings 6. The anode is mounted on the shaft 0 which freelypasses through the cathode.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 3, 1911.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912. Serial No. 658,375.

The lower end of the anode terminates by a socket (l which is alsofreely movable in the outer shell Z). In order to allow of removing thecathode it iscomposed of two hemispheres. The current is supplied to theanode by the shaft 0, by the rods e, of which two or more may beprovided. These rods'penetrate the outer shell I), and may be coveredwith china or glass tubes 7", to prevent loss of current and to insulatethem against the walls of the containing vessel. Another purpose of therods 6 is to support the cathode and to hold it in a closed condition.The anode may be made of any material which is suitable for the especialpurpose, for instance of platinum, oxidized iron, lead perovid or thelike. On the other hand it may be constituted by a nonconductor ofelectricity, for instance of earthen-ware, hard rubber or the like, andthis nonconductor may be intertwined or equipped with platinum wires oranother suitable conductor. For the purpose of guiding'the anode aninsulating bearing 9 may be provided either in the upper or in the loweropening of the cathode shell, or in both of them. The socket (Z is thenPreferably provided with a collar projecting into a corresponding groovein the bearing. By this means a more perfect joint between theelectrodes is attained, so that no solution can be sucked up out through'the socket d. The shaft 0 may also be guided by a bearing arranged inthe cover of the containing vessel. Let it be understood that the vesselis only generally indicated, its true dimensions being far greater thanas shown in the drawing.

The etliciency of this apparatus, comprising electrode, agitator andpump, is very great. The contents of the vessel seem to be convertedinto dust, although the current continues to flow in undiminishedstrength showing that the interval between the electrodes is whollyfilled up with solution. Owing'to the spherical form of both electrodes,the current density on the latter is absolutely uniform, so that theelectrochemical action at every point of the aetive'clcctrode iscontrolled by the same conditions and the process may be confined to onesingle desired reaction.

Instead of rotating the inner elect-rode I may effect the circulation ofthe liquid by another means, for instance by a propeller with the vessel12., each being provided .With' arrangement'is illustrated by Fig. 2inwhich -h indicates the greater and i the smaller vessel "containingthe electrodes. Both vessels are connected-at the bottom by a pipe 7cand communicate near the top by a wider, tub e..-The liquid in thevessel 72.. is for instance cooled by the coil Z. Aplu ralityof smallervessels '5 may be connected electrodes.

I claim 1 In an electrolytic apparatus the arran'gement of twospherical, perforated electrodes, one cit-them surrounding the other. i

2. In an electrolytic apparatus, the come s stem j-bmatlon of acontaining vessel, another bination of spherical, perforated electrodesurrounding another likewise spherical and perforated elect-rode, andmeans for rapidly .rotating the said inner. electrode.

3. In an electrolytic apparatus, the comsmaller vessel connectedtherewith, elec- "trodes in the said smaller vessel, and means forrapidly rotating one of the said electrodes.

I 4. In an electrolytic apparatus the combination of an outer,spherical, perforated electrode, an inner, likewise spherical andperforated electrode, a socket extending from the bottom of the secondelectrode andfreely penetrating the first electrode, and

means. for rotating the second electrode.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses;

GEORGE KOLSKY.

Witnesses: I

GEO. C. I-IEINIGKE, HEINRICH G. KOEHLER.

